Importing from China to Iceland: permits
Start by checking whether your goods need permits or certificates: Icelandic Customs makes these conditional on the legislation covering the product. Appoint your own Icelandic customs broker before ordering. Sourcing, factory checks and shipping to your named Icelandic port can be coordinated by Cambridge China Bridge.
Buying from China for a business? How our UK China sourcing agent service works · China sourcing agent for businesses outside the UK
Check the product-specific permit gate
Icelandic Customs lists permits and certificates where the legislation covering the goods requires them. Before committing to production, send your broker the product description, materials, intended use and proposed packaging. Ask for a written assessment of any permissions, testing or labelling needed for that exact product.
Icelandic Customs also states that it does not issue EORI numbers. Use the Norway guide and Ireland guide as destination comparisons; ask your Icelandic broker to establish the process for your shipment.
Agree what the price to your port includes
We can source from Chinese factories through our UK company and quote shipment to your named Icelandic port, with goods travelling directly from China. The overseas buying guide covers the general service, so use this guide for the Iceland-specific preparation.
Ask the quotation to identify the delivery term, freight, insurance and destination charges included or excluded. Request a separate estimate for clearance, import charges, port handling and onward delivery. Our buy-through-UK-company service explains the purchasing arrangement; agree the seller, invoice issuer and shipment approval responsibilities in writing.
Give your own broker the arrival work
Appoint your own Icelandic customs broker before dispatch. Agree that the broker will check tariff classification, valuation, applicable duty and VAT treatment, review the document pack and prepare and submit the arrival declaration. Your own customs broker confirms the final entry.
Send draft documents while corrections can still be made in China. Ask the broker to coordinate arrival questions with the carrier, explain any missing information and confirm release before you book collection. Keep the port quotation and the broker's arrival estimate together when comparing suppliers.
Build the documents around the actual order
We coordinate commercial invoice information with the Chinese factory and the agreed seller. Match the descriptions, quantities, values and delivery term to the actual sale. The factory supplies packing details for a packing list showing carton contents, weights and dimensions; we check these against the order and arrange the transport documents with the forwarder.
Ask your broker whether a certificate of origin is needed and which form is acceptable; we coordinate obtaining the requested document from the China side. The factory supplies available test reports, and we check that they identify the ordered model, materials and configuration. Refer missing or unsuitable evidence for further testing before approving shipment.
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Check the supplier and inspect before shipment
Our own staff in China check supplier identity, the actual production site, relevant equipment and proposed subcontracting. We compare the supplier's business details with the quotation, invoice and payment instructions. Approve a retained sample and a written specification before production, including the packaging and label artwork reviewed by your Icelandic adviser.
Before dispatch, we inspect the goods against those agreed references, checking quantities, workmanship, measurements, packaging and labels. We report defects and proposed corrections for your shipment decision. Keep the inspection findings alongside the test reports and broker's checklist so unresolved points remain visible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an import licence to buy from China in Iceland?
Check the exact goods rather than assuming a blanket licence applies. Give your broker the specification and intended use, and obtain the product-specific checklist before placing the order.
Can a UK sourcing company quote to my Icelandic port?
Yes. We can arrange China sourcing and shipment to your chosen port. Agree the delivery term and exclusions, then obtain your broker's estimate for the arrival costs.
What documents should I request from the Chinese factory?
Request invoice information, a packing list and reports matching your product. Have your broker specify any origin certificate needed; we coordinate the document pack with the factory and seller.
Does factory inspection replace product testing?
Use inspection to check the shipment against your approved sample and specification. Assess laboratory reports separately, and resolve gaps against your Icelandic adviser's checklist before dispatch.
Sources
Buying from China for a business outside the UK? China sourcing agent for businesses outside the UK →